D'Orazio

Based in Conversano, Puglia, the D’Orazio family’s roots in olive oil stretch back to the 1930s, with knowledge and expertise passed through three generations. Today, Francesco D’Orazio leads the business, combining the traditions of his grandfather and uncle with modern production methods and technology.

Set among the ancient olive groves of Puglia, the character of the region is central to D’Orazio’s oils. The family’s approach is rooted in a respect for the land and a commitment to producing extra virgin olive oil that reflects its Apulian origins.

Today, just like in the past: we wake up at 4:30 every morning, no matter how cold or unfavorable the weather, the day at the Frantoio has been marked the same way for 70 years. Even when working was much more tiring than today, "we had electricity in '44," Peppino D'Orazio  recalls in an old interview. "Before that, there were tanks with donkeys that turned the mechanism and men who worked the presses to extract the oil. Each press had 25 fisculi (discs made of plant fiber) into which, one by one, the olive paste had to be spread before being filtered.

While traditional knowledge remains at the heart of the business, D’Orazio have continued to invest in modern technology to improve production and quality, keeping the balance between heritage and innovation that has shaped the mill across generations.